Systems and methods for generating modular security delegates for applications

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present teachings relate to systems and methods for generating modular security delegates for applications. According to embodiments, in a multiple network environment, multiple machines (or clients) can be configured. Each machine can include a plurality of application instances and an authentication delegate. In addition, each network environment can include a communication interface to security services. The applications can include logic that indicates what security delegate to use for a given set of user authentication credentials. The logic can be configured to determine the appropriate authentication delegate using various methods. The authentication delegates can receive a set of user authentication credentials from application instances and determine whether the set of user authentication credentials are valid. Each authentication delegate corresponds to one and only one type of authentication mechanism.

FIELD

This invention relates generally to authenticating user credentials using a separate modular security delegate for applications.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

There are many applications that require access by multiple types of users. For example, administrators who can have high levels of access, external users who can have lower levels of access, employees of a company that is providing the application who can have middle levels of access, etc. For each type of user/access, the applications can provide different functionality, which can be protected by requiring a specific level of security for each user type.

However, in many applications, building in multiple authentication and authorization levels can pose a problem, if, for example, different authentication mechanisms and/or authorization mechanisms are used. As used herein, authentication and authentication mechanisms can be directed to determining if the user is the actual user identified, whereas authorization and authorization mechanisms can be directed to determining the role and/or functionality allowed for the user. As will be understood, authentication and authorization mechanisms are well known in the art and will be briefly discussed herein as needed.

The different authentication mechanisms can include, but are not limited to, Kerberos, SSL, digest authentication, NT LAN manager authentication protocol, tokens, virtual remote security access, LDAP authentication, etc. For example, if the application is capable of accepting multiple forms of authentication, this can create an unacceptable level of risk since it could expose, for example, internal corporate authentication mechanisms to brute-force attacks from, for example, the internet, and this could also cause ambiguous credentials that could be valid for one form of authentication but not the other.

Therefore, there is a need to ensure that all types of users can use various applications and that authentication is as strong as necessary for various applications and environments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various features of the embodiments can be more fully appreciated, as the same become better understood with reference to the following detailed description of the embodiments when considered in connection with the accompanying figures, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of plurality of networks that include authorization delegates, in which various embodiments of the present teachings can be practiced;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary hardware configuration for an authorization delegate, according to various embodiments;

FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary process for authenticating users across multiple networks using authentication delegates, according to various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

For simplicity and illustrative purposes, the principles of the present teachings are described by referring mainly to exemplary embodiments thereof. However, one of ordinary skill in the art would readily recognize that the same principles are equally applicable to, and can be implemented in, all types of information and systems, and that any such variations do not depart from the true spirit and scope of the present teachings. Moreover, in the following detailed description, references are made to the accompanying figures, which illustrate specific embodiments. Electrical, mechanical, logical and structural changes may be made to the embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present teachings. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense and the scope of the present teachings is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Embodiments of the present teachings relate to systems and methods for generating modular security delegates for applications, including, for example, applications usable on physical machines, virtualized environments, in the cloud, etc. According to embodiments, in a multiple network environment, multiple machines (that can be, for example, clients, containers, Java virtual machines (JVM), etc.) can be configured. Each machine can include a plurality of application instances, a directory interface, and a security delegate. The directory interface can communicate with a directory, for example, a naming directory (as in Java), that can be instantiated in each machine environment. The security delegate can be a service, an application, a wrapper, a DLL, code, a proxy, a java class, a java bean, etc. In addition, each network environment can include a communication interface to security services. Security services can include, but are not limited to, any internal or third party hosting service that can authenticate and/or authorize users. For example, security services can use Kerberos, NT Lan Manager (NTLM) authentication protocol, secure sockets layer/transport security layer (SSL/TSL), token authentication, virtual private network (VPN), remote access security (RAS), digest authentication, LDAP authentication etc., for authentication.

According to embodiments, the applications do not authenticate user credentials themselves. Instead, the applications can include logic that indicates what security delegate to use for a given set of user authentication credentials. For example, the applications can include logic that points to a directory that includes the appropriate security delegate for a given application instance. User authentication credentials can include, but are not intended to be limited to, tokens, user-names, passwords, keys, generated random numbers, certificates, tickets, etc. According to embodiments, the logic can be configured to determine the appropriate authentication security delegate using various methods. For example, the appropriate security delegate can be based on which application instance received the user credentials, the network location of the directory, the network location of the application instance, etc. Alternatively, the type of user or class of authentication credentials received can be used to determine the appropriate security delegate.

According to embodiments, the security delegates can receive a set of user authentication credentials from application instances and determine whether the set of user authentication credentials are valid. Each security delegate can correspond to one type of authentication mechanism. For example, one security delegate can determine if Kerberos credentials are valid, another security delegate can determine if SSL credentials are valid, etc. Also, each application instance can send the set of user authorization credentials to one security delegate (e.g., there can be a one to one correspondence).

The level of security used by each security delegate in each corresponding network can be determined by, for example, owners of the network, administrators, operators, cloud providers, etc. Also, the term network as used herein can include physical networks, virtual networks, cloud networks, clusters, sub-nets, partitions, etc.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of multiple network environments 1, 2 . . . N that can include multiple machines 20 ₁ to 20 _(N), 60 ₂ to 60 _(N), etc. For purposes of this description, it is assumed that each machine contains the same general elements in each network and therefore, a single machine for networks 1 and 2 with reference to FIG. 1 will be described. Machine 20 ₁ can include a plurality of application instances 12 ₁ to N₁ and a security delegate 30 ₁. The security delegate 30 ₁ can include a communication interface (not shown) that allows security delegate 30 ₁ to communicate with a security service 40 within the same network 1. The application instances 12 ₁ to N₁ within machine 20 ₁ can be the same or different. For example, application instance 12 ₁ can be a procurement application and application instance 12 _(N) can be another instance of the procurement application or an instance of a messaging application. In addition, the application instances across machines 20 ₁ to 20 _(N) in the same network 1 can be the same or different depending on each machine's current use. For example, application instance 12 ₁ can be a procurement application in machine 20 ₁ whereas application 12 ₁ can be a messaging application in machine 20 _(N). It will be understood that while examples of certain network components are illustrated, other well known components can be included, for example, servers, other machines, applications, ports, etc.

Similarly, in network 2, machine 60 ₁ can include a plurality of application instances 12 ₂ to N₂ and a security delegate 50 ₁. The security delegate 50 ₁ can include a communication interface (not shown) that allows security delegate 50 ₁ to communicate with a security service 70 within the same network 2. The application instances 12 ₂ to N₂ within machine 60 ₁ can be the same or different. For example, application instance 12 ₂ can be a procurement application and application instance N₂ can be another instance of the procurement application or an instance of a messaging application. In addition, the application instances across machines 60 ₁ to 60 _(N) in the same network can be the same or different depending on each machines' current use. For example, application instance 12 ₂ can be a procurement application in machine 60 ₁ whereas application 12 ₂ can be a messaging application in machine 60 _(N).

As can be seen in FIG. 1, while the network components are similar within networks 1, 2 . . . N, across networks 1, 2 . . . N there are some distinctions. For example, each machine 20 in network 1 can have a corresponding machine 60 in network 2 shown by the subscript number. The application instances 12 ₁ to N₁ can be instances of the same application corresponding to each network 1, 2 . . . N, as identified by the subscript number. Also, the security delegate 30 ₁ in network 1 has a corresponding defined security (security service 40) associated with it, as does security delegate 60 ₁ (security service 70). In various embodiments, the defined authentication mechanism will be different between networks. For example, network 1 can correspond to an internal network, for example, an internal corporation LAN or WAN, whereas network 2 can correspond to an external network, for example, the internet. Network N can also correspond to, for example, an external network, such as the internet but using a different authentication mechanism. Generally, networks 1, 2 . . . N can be or include the Internet, other public, and/or private networks. The networks 1, 2 . . . N can also be or include wired, wireless, optical, and other network connections. One skilled in the art will realize that the networks 1, 2 . . . N can be any type of network, utilizing any type of communication protocol, to connect computing systems. Also, one skilled in the art will realize that a plurality of networks can be used, as long as different defined security levels are applied to each.

According to embodiments, a user can be associated with a certain level of security. For example, the user can be an employee of a corporation who can use the corporation's internal network. Alternatively, the user can be an external user (not an employee of the corporation) using, for example, the internet and have RAS credentials. For purposes of this embodiment, a two network embodiment will be used, where the corporation's internal network corresponds to network 1 and the internet corresponds to network 2. In this embodiment, an application 12 (not shown) can be accessed by a user. The application 12 is viewable from both network 1 and network 2. For example, the application 12 is viewable in network 1 through application instance 12 ₁ and in network 2 through application instance 12 ₂. As discussed above, there can be any number of applications and corresponding instances.

In this embodiment, the corporation can decide on the level of security required for each type of user. For example, an internal user can be authenticated by a strong authentication mechanism, e.g., Kerberos, and an external user can be authenticated by a weaker authentication mechanism, e.g., RAS. The authentication mechanism used can be based on various parameters, for example, regulatory requirements, compliance requirements, etc. It will be obvious that in view of the network requirements, various authentication mechanisms, for example, Kerberos, NT Lan Manager (NTLM) authentication protocol, secure sockets layer/transport security layer (SSL/TSL), token authentication, virtual private network (VPN), remote access security (RAS), digest authentication, LDAP authentication, etc., can be used for each network.

It is assumed for purposes of this embodiment that a set of user authentication credentials 5 or 25 have been obtained by the user by any known method, for example, by a user registering with, for example, the corporation and/or a corresponding security service.

For a user having access to network 1, application 12 can be instantiated in machine 20 ₁. The application instance 12 ₁ can request a set of user authentication credentials 5 ₁, for example, through a log-in screen, from the user. The user can enter in the set of user authentication credentials 5 ₁, for example, a user-name, a password, a token, etc. Once the application 12 (not shown) receives the set of user authentication credentials 5, the application 12 can identify the corresponding security delegate 30 ₁. The application 12 can identify the corresponding security delegate 30 ₁ using, for example, a directory interface (not shown) to a directory (not shown) that can list the appropriate security delegate 30 ₁ based on, for example, the network location of the corresponding application instance 12 ₁ that received the user authentication credentials 5 ₁, the network location of the directory, etc. The directory can be, for example, a naming directory (as in Java), that can be instantiated in each machine environment. As network 1 has a corresponding defined security level (e.g., strong), the security delegate 30 ₁ can be configured to apply the same defined security level using the designated authentication mechanism (e.g., Kerberos) to validate the set of user authentication credentials 5 ₁ sent from application instance 12 ₁. As shown in FIG. 1, security delegate 30 ₁ can communicate through an interface (not shown) with a security service 40.

The security service 40 can include, for example, servers, databases, communication interfaces, etc. based on a given authentication and/or authorization mechanisms. In this embodiment, security service 40 can correspond to Kerberos authentication. The security delegate 30 ₁ can communicate with security service 40 to validate the set of user authentication credentials 5 ₁. Validation 35, can be performed by various known methods based on the authentication mechanism used.

For a user having access to network 2, the user instantiates application 12 in machine 20 ₂. The application instance 12 ₂ can request a set of user authentication credentials 25 ₁, for example, through a log-in screen, from the user. The user can enter in the set of user authentication credentials 25 ₁, for example, a user-name, a password, a token, etc. Once the application 12 (not shown) receives the set of user authentication credentials 25, the application 12 can identify the corresponding security delegate 50 ₁. The application 12 can identify the corresponding security delegate 50 ₁ using, for example, a directory interface (not shown) to a directory (not shown) that can list the appropriate security delegate 50 ₁ based on, for example, the network location of the corresponding application instance 12 ₂ that received the user authentication credentials 75 ₁, the network location of the directory, etc. The directory can be, for example, a naming directory (as in Java), that can be instantiated in each machine environment. As network 2 has a corresponding defined security level (e.g., less strong), the security delegate 50 ₁ can be configured to apply the same defined security level using the designated authentication mechanism (e.g., RAS) to validate the set of user credentials 25 ₁ sent from application instance 12 ₂. As shown in FIG. 1, authentication delegate 50 ₁ can communicate through an interface (not shown) with a security service 70.

The security service 70 can include, for example, servers, databases, communication interfaces, etc. based on a given authentication mechanism. In this embodiment, security service 70 can correspond to RAS. The security delegate 50 ₁ can communicate with security service 70 to validate the set of user authentication credentials 25 ₁. Validation 75 ₁ can be performed by various known methods based on the authentication mechanism used.

One example of a situation in which the plurality of networks shown in FIG. 1 can be used can be for procurement. For example, a corporation needs to procure various items using an application that allows both internal employees to request an item and external suppliers to bid on supplying the requested item. However, in this example the corporation can want to allow different functionality and access privileges to each type of user (external and internal), for example, to protect various parts of the internal network and proprietary information. In such an example, the internal network can be accessed by internal employees having strong security credentials, e.g., based on Kerberos, whereas the external suppliers can access the application via an external network, where the external network uses a less strong security, e.g., RAS.

In yet additional embodiments, additional networks (and/or physical networks, virtual networks, cloud networks, clusters, sub-nets, partitions, etc.) can be added so that there can be a third network, a fourth network, etc. According to these embodiments, each network can have a different security level and a corresponding different security delegate/security service.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary diagram of hardware and other resources that can be incorporated in any of the machines 20, and configured to store and execute the security delegate 30, according to embodiments. In embodiments as shown, the machines 20 can comprise a processor 202 communicating with a memory 204, such as electronic random access memory. The processor 302 also communicates with one or more computer readable storage devices or media 208, such as hard drives, optical storage, and the like, for maintaining the authorization delegates 30. The processor 202 further communicates with network interface 210, such as an Ethernet or wireless data connection, which in turn communicates with one or more networks 1, such as the Internet or other public or private networks. The machine 20 can also communicate with a security service 40 through network 1 and network interface 210.

The processor 202 also communicates with the security delegates 30 to execute the logic of the security delegates 30 and to allow performance of the processes as described herein. Other configurations of the machines 20, associated network connections, and other hardware and software resources are possible.

While FIG. 2 illustrates the machines 20 as a standalone system including a combination of hardware and software, the machines 20 can include multiple systems operating in cooperation. As described above, the security delegate 30 can be implemented as an application program capable of being executed by the machines 20, as illustrated, or other conventional computer platforms. Likewise, the security delegate 30 can also be implemented as a software module or program module capable of being incorporated in other software applications and programs. In any example, the security delegate 30 can be implemented in any type of programming language. When implemented as an application program, application module, or program code, the security delegate 30 can be stored in a computer readable storage medium, such as the storage 208, accessible by the machine 20. Likewise, during execution, a copy of the security delegate 30 can be stored in the memory 204.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow diagram for a process 300 of authenticating a user in at least two networks, according to embodiments of the present teachings. In 302, the process can begin. In 304, an application 12 can receive a set of user authentication credentials 5. For example, application instance 12 ₁ can receive a set of user authentication credentials 5 ₁ from a user via network 1. The set of user authentication credentials 5 ₁ can include, for example, a user-name, a password, a token, a key, etc. Each network 1 and 2 can have a unique defined security level, for example, Kerberos, RAS, digest authorization, etc.

In 306, the application 12 can identify a first or second security delegate 30 ₁ or 50 ₁ through the use of a directory interface to a directory based on for example, the network location of the corresponding application instance 12 ₁ that received the user authentication credentials 5 ₁, the network location of the directory, etc. Once an security delegate 30 or 50 is identified, the application instance 12 ₁ or 12 ₂ sends the set of user authentication credentials 5 or 25 to the corresponding identified security delegate 30 ₁ or 50 ₂, in step 308.

In step 310, the security delegate 30 ₁ or 50 ₁ determines whether the set of user authentication credentials 5 ₁ or 25 ₁ are valid based on a defined level of security. For example, the security delegate 30 ₁ or 50 ₁ can communicate with a security service 40 or 70 that can include a database of authentication credentials, certificate authorities, etc. For example, security delegate 30 ₁ can communicate with a lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP) database if network 1 corresponds to an internal network and security delegate 50 ₁ can communicate with an RAS site if network 2 corresponds to the internet.

As discussed above, embodiments can be applied to more than two networks, as long as each network has its own defined level of security. Also a user can initially register with a security service, such as, Kerberos, RAS, SSL, etc., to obtain a set of authentication credentials.

Certain embodiments can be performed as a computer application program. The application program can exist in a variety of forms both active and inactive. For example, the application program can exist as software program(s) comprised of program instructions in source code, object code, executable code or other formats. Any of the above can be embodied on a computer readable medium, which include computer readable storage devices and media, and signals, in compressed or uncompressed form. Exemplary computer readable storage devices and media include conventional computer system RAM (random access memory), ROM (read-only memory), EPROM (erasable, programmable ROM), EEPROM (electrically erasable, programmable ROM), and magnetic or optical disks or tapes. Exemplary computer readable signals, whether modulated using a carrier or not, are signals that a computer system hosting or running the present teachings can be configured to access, including signals downloaded through the Internet or other networks. Concrete examples of the foregoing include distribution of executable software of the computer application program on a CD-ROM or via Internet download.

While the teachings have been described with reference to the exemplary embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will be able to make various modifications to the described embodiments without departing from the true spirit and scope. The terms and descriptions used herein are set forth by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations. In particular, although the method has been described by examples, the steps of the method may be performed in a different order than illustrated or simultaneously. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “including”, “includes”, “having”, “has”, “with”, or variants thereof are used in either the detailed description and the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” As used herein, the term “one or more of” or “at least one of” with respect to a listing of items such as, for example, A and B, means A alone, B alone, or A and B. Those skilled in the art will recognize that these and other variations are possible within the spirit and scope as defined in the following claims and their equivalents. 

1. A method of authenticating a user in at least two networks, comprising: receiving a set of user authentication credentials by an application running a first instance in a first network having a first defined level of security and a second instance in a second network having a second defined level of security; identifying, through a directory interface, a first security delegate within the first network or a second security delegate within the second network; sending, by the application, the received set of user authentication credentials to the first security delegate or the second authentication delegate, wherein the sending is based on which application instance received the set of user authentication credentials; and determining, by the first security delegate or the second security delegate, whether the set of user authentication credentials are valid based on the corresponding first defined level of security or the corresponding second defined level of security.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first defined security level and second defined security level are different.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein each of the defined levels of security comprises at least one of Kerberos, NT Lan Manager (NTLM) authentication protocol, secure sockets layer/transport security layer (SSL/TSL), token authentication, virtual private network (VPN), remote access security (RAS), digest authentication, LDAP authentication.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first network comprises an internal network and the second network comprises an external network.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the first defined security is stronger than the second defined security.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the determining step further comprises: communicating through an interface with a first security database associated with the internal network or a second security database associated with the external network.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: registering a user with a security service having the first defined level of security or the second defined level of security; and receiving the set of user authorization credentials from the security service.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining step further comprises: communicating with a security service to validate the set of user authentication credentials.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining by the first security delegate or the second security delegate, whether the user is authorized to access the first network or second network.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the application further runs a third instance in a third network having a third defined level of security, the method further comprising: identifying, through a directory interface, a third security delegate within the third network.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the sending step comprises: sending, by the application, the received set of user authentication credentials to the third security delegate; and determining, by the third security delegate, whether the set of user authentication credentials are valid based on the corresponding third defined level of security.
 12. A system comprising: at least a first network having a first defined level of security, comprising an interface to a first security service, a directory interface, and a plurality of machines, wherein each of the plurality of machines comprises: a plurality of application instances, wherein each application instance is configured to: receive a set of user authentication credentials, communicate with the directory interface to identify a first security delegate, and send the set user of authentication credentials to the determined security delegate, and and the first security delegate, wherein the first security delegate is configured to: receive a set of user authentication credentials from an application instance and determine whether the set of user authentication credentials are valid based on the first defined level of security; and a second network having a second defined level of security, comprising an interface to a second security service, a directory interface, and a plurality of machines comprising: a plurality of application instances, wherein each application instance is configured to: receive a set of user authentication credentials, communicate with the directory interface to identify a first security delegate, and send the set user of authentication credentials to the determined security delegate, and and the second authentication delegate, wherein the second security delegate is configured to: receive a set of user authentication credentials from an application instance and determine whether the set of user authentication credentials are valid based on the second defined level of security; wherein the first defined security level and the second defined security level are different.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein each of the defined levels of security comprises at least one of Kerberos, NT Lan Manager (NTLM) authentication protocol, secure sockets layer/transport security layer (SSL/TSL), token authentication, virtual private network (VPN), remote access security (RAS), digest authentication, or LDAP authentication.
 14. The system of claim 12, wherein the first network comprises an internal network and the second network comprises an external network.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the first defined security is stronger than the second defined security.
 16. The system of claim 12, further comprising: a first security service having a first defined level of security configured to register a user with the first security service; and a second security service having a second defined level of security configured to register a user with the second security service.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the first application instance receives the set of user authorization credentials from the first security service, and wherein the second application instance receives the set of user authorization credentials for the second security service.
 18. The system of claim 16, wherein the interface to the first security database is configured to communicate with the first security service; and wherein the interface to the second security service is configured to communicate with the second security service.
 19. The system of claim 12, wherein the first security delegate is further configured to determine whether a user is authorized to access the first network and the second security delegate is further configured to determine whether the user is authorized to access the second network
 20. The system of claim 12, further comprising: a third network having a third defined level of security, comprising an interface to a third security database, a directory interface, and a plurality of machines comprising: a plurality of application instances, wherein each application instance is configured to: receive a set of user authentication credentials, communicate with the directory interface to identify a third security delegate, and send the set user of authentication credentials to the determined security delegate, and and a third security delegate, wherein the third security delegate is configured to: receive a set of user authentication credentials from an application instance and determine whether the set of user authentication credentials are valid based on the third defined level of security. 